Shun White Still a Presence for the Mids

Shun White is still on the practice field at Navy, only now he's coaching plays instead of running plays. White, the Midshipmen's top rusher last season, is finishing up classes at the academy and is assisting slotbacks coach Joe DuPaix.

"I'm just trying to help out any way I can," said White, who rushed for 1,092 yards and eight touchdowns in 2008. Two other standouts from last season, quarterback Jarod Bryant and cornerback Rashawn King, are serving as graduate assistants with the team.

White signed a free agent contract with the Patriots in the spring, along with fullback Eric Kettani and wide receiver Tyree Barnes. Of the three, White was the only one who participated in training camp. The Patriots moved him to slot receiver. (In his Navy career, White made 15 catches for 263 yards.)

He appeared in the Patriots' first preseason game on Aug. 13, a 27-25 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, but didn't record a catch. Four days later, he was placed on the reserve/military list, and he returned to Annapolis for classes.

"It was a great experience," said White, who expects to be stationed in Norfolk after he graduates in December. "From a football standpoint, my IQ has skyrocketed. Moving from a running back to a receiver, learning how to read defenses, read things on the fly — my football IQ has skyrocketed. I'm just thankful for that opportunity and hopefully one day I'll have an opportunity to go back."